emasterslake
Taken place in Japan of the 80s-90s era. Soun Tendo and Genma Saotome are both Martial Artists of the "Anything Goes School of Martial Arts". Soun is a father of 3 daughters while Genma has only 1 son. They both agree that Genma's son: Ranma Saotome would marry one of Soun's daughters when the time comes. So that way the whole "Anything Goes School" will continue on.By the time Ranma is 16, it was time for him to be acquainted with the Tendo family. Soun Tendo had no idea what Genma's son is like. But it very excited for one of his 3 daughters: Akane, Nabiki, & Kasumi will be the fiancé of Ranma. Only the Tendo family will learn that both Ranma & his dad have been cursed by the sacred hot springs of Jusenkyo in China. Genma was cursed with the form of a Panda and Ranma is cursed with the forms of a red haired busty girl. When douse with cold water, they turn into their cursed forms, but warm water will change them back to their original forms.Soun Tendo at first was disappointed with all this, but after learning about their trip to China and how their curse forms work with water temperature. He finds it to be no big deal. Soun introduces Ranma to his 3 daughters and said he can pick either one of them to be his future bride. However Nabiki & Kasumi agreed that their youngest daughter Akane will make a fitting wife with Ranma. Akane didn't like the decision at all, and find this prearranged marriage to be a joke. And she finds Ranma's ability to turn into a girl to be perverted. Ranma didn't care too much about this prearranged marriage either. Because he wants to go back to China to find a curse spring that'll make him a whole male again.Only problem is his dad refuses him to go back to China, when Genma's hoped for so long for his son to be the fiancé of one of Soun's daughters. To make a long argument short, Ranma & Genma now stay at the Tendo's house as honoree guests. Both Akane & Ranma don't want to get more involved together. But pretty soon they do start to care about each other. Even though they don't show that care to one another.Made back 1989, based off of one of Japan's best selling Manga written & drawn by Rumiko Takahata. Who worked on the series from 1986-1996. Also a success in America, way before Anime became popular as it is today. The thing I like most about it is the theme of the series, the flow of the story, and the comedy which occurs frequently in each episode. Next to the comedy is action and romance. Since this is a martial arts related anime, you do see a lot of it in each episode.Through out the whole series, you'll see Ranma & Akane's relationship grow. As well as encounters with other rivals and other fiancés that create a huge and complicated love triangle. Those who like Inuyusha, Urusei Yatsura, & Rumiko's other works will admire this one a lot. In my opinion this is one of Rumiko's best works.Remember this is only Season 1 of the 7 season series. If you like the first 18 episodes, be sure to see the other 6 seasons of the "Ranma 1/2: Anything Goes School of Martial Arts" series.Also this is a perfect Anime for dates or for someone's girlfriend.
Starsky_chan
Another masterpiece by Takahashi, Ranma 1/2 is the story about a 16-yr-old martial artist, Ranma Saotome, who goes on a training mission with his father, Genma, to magical springs in China called the "Jusenkyo" (Except Ranma & Genma have no idea the springs are magical). Before they know it, they fall in two different springs! First, Genma turns into a panda, and then Ranma turns into a GIRL! To make matter worse, when they come to Tokyo, Ranma ends up getting engaged to Genma's friends daughter Akane Tendo, the martial artist/tomboy who wants nothing to do with Ranma (Or so she says...). Its actually a pretty funny series, with original characters! Like Tatewaki Kuno, the swordsman who's madly in love with Akane and "The Pigtailed Girl" (A.K.A, Ranma in Female Form), and Shampoo, the Chinese Amazon who male Ranma accidentally gets engaged to, and tries to kill Female Ranma! Nabiki, Akane's money-hungry elder sister, and Mousse, the martial artist madly in love with Shampoo, specializes in hidden weapons, and hates Ranma's guts The music in this show is also quite fantastic, like the DoCo (Female Ranma Cast: Ranma, Akane, Nabiki, Kasumi,and Shampoo)! I seriously recommend you watch this show! ITS WORTH IT! 8.5 out of 10 stars!
generaljake
Every artist and author has a work that defines their lifetime of effort and creativity. For Rumiko Takahashi, Ranma 1/2 represents the pinnacle of her career thus far. Ranma 1/2 is a singularly unique type of story in a world where most Anime are carbon copies of one another. Though the usual Japanese cultural subplots are present throughout the lengthy series, the heart of the plot where a boy with a curse transforms into a girl with but a splash of cold water (and several other characters transform into various other things) is a device not usually used in Anime. Of course that is Takahashi's true gift; creation of stories that are relatively unique when placed next to their peers. Arguably the funniest Anime of all time, Ranma 1/2 thrives from its wide range of wacky and fascinating characters, well-placed slapstick, physical comedy and hilarious love triangles. While there have been many outstanding Anime comedies since then, consider that Ranma 1/2's first season came first. Ranma 1/2 precedes Tenchi Muyo, Love Hina, Parallel Dual, Azumanga Daioh and other such giants of humor. Before Ranma, the only notable humorous Animes that existed were written by Takahashi herself. It is clear Ranma 1/2 set the standard for the way Anime in the 90's and the New Millennium are executed.
au_law2001
What more can I say? This show is the best anime show I've seen and is perhaps the first one to get me into that genre among others. I first laughed at the title, because it sounded ridiculous, and I was new to this, and I was just a kid. And as I watched, I laughed even more, to learn this is worthwhile and a great show, a great love comedy or martial arts show. With references to ancient China and traditions, except turned upside down to bring hilarious and chaotic results! And the character are unforgettable, Kuno Tatewake, Ryoga who is stupid but my favorite character of the show! Mousse, Cologne, Happosai, Akane and Genma, and not to mention Ranma's other suitors, Shampoo, Kodachi, Ukyo, this came before Tenchi Muyo! to those who say harem anime was copied from Tenchi! Without a doubt, this is a very funny and memorable show brought to you by Rumiko Takahashi who also made Inu Yasha, Maison Ikkoku, Urusei Yatsura and Fire Tripper. Great show, recommended to all fans of the shows mentioned earlier. >>>>> 10/10